Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-06-01
Washington City,
From our Washington Correspondent

From our Washington Correspondence
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 80, 1887.
Recognizing the difficulties that would be
encountered in attempting detailed &C
count of the National Drill, even were the
space allotted me much greater than that
afforded by the columns Of newspaper, I
will not attempt to discuss the subject in
detail. The gentleman constituting the
committee which, few months since, con-
ceived of, and have since perfected and car
ried into execution, the details of so stupen-
dous undertaking as that involved in the
bringing together in friendly competition
the representative military organizations Of
thirty-one States and Territories, may just
ly feel proud of the success of their under
taking.
The space surrounding the Washington
Monument covered with its white tents,
rendered brilliant by tho varied uniforms
and regimental colors Of the various organi-
cations represented, and the scene enliven-
ed by the strains of martial music, serve to
recall the days of 1861 and '62, when, as
now, the streets of the National Capital
echoed to the tread of marching regiments.
From Oregon to Maine and from Wisconsin
to Texas, nearly every State in the Union,
sent her quota to the Drill, and whatever
the decision of the judges may be as to the
relative merits of the various organizations,
it may be truthfully said that without a
single exception, every one of the sixty
companies present at the Drill presented a
creditable appearance both in camp and up
on the drill ground, and the Nation may be
justly proud that in her citizen soldiery she
possesses standing army which will COM
pare favOrably, if not in point of numbers,
at least in proficiency in military discipline,
with the expensive standing armies of for
eign nations.
The exhibition drills of the various zouave
companies were, to the general public, the
most interesting of all the exhibitions given
by the visiting companies. The manner in
which the various fancy movements, wheel
ing, marching bayonet and skirmish drills
were executed, was wonderful. One of
their feats-the scaling ola fifteen-foot fence
was, perhaps, the most difficult yet at
tempted upon drill ground. AT the word
of command they broke for the fence, rapid
over their guns, and with cat-like agility
followed themselves. When but two men
remained, and the spectators were guessing
out way of saving them, one jumped up
on the shoulders of the other, thence to the
top of the fence, and there turned about
and helped up his fellow.
On Wednesday evening the camp was
visited by the most severe thunder storm Of
the season, but aside from the overturning
of two Or three of the tents which had not
been properly secured, and the consequent
drenching Of the occupants, little damage
was done.
The President accompanied by Mrs.
Cleveland, Mr.. and Mrs. Lament, and a
party of select friends, left Washington on
Thursday last fer the Adirondack region,
where they will spend a few days in recrea-
tien upon the shores of Saranac Lake. 1t
is expected that the President will return
to Washington on the 9Th of June, and that
he will spend the Summer months at his
country residence. II.